Accused in 2004 Dhemaji bomb blast acquitted by Guwahati HC

Guwahati: The Guwahati High Court on August 24 acquitted the accused of all charges in the 2004 Dhemaji blast incident.

This happened after the accused challenged the lower court’s order in the Guwahati High Court, after which they were acquitted of all wrongdoing.
The final hearing of the matter was held on July 24 and the order was pronounced today on August 24.

This incident relates to the 15 August 2004 bomb blast in Assam’s Dhemaji district, which killed 18 children on the occasion of Independence Day.
Earlier, the lower court had awarded life imprisonment to Dipanjali Burhagohain, Muhi Handique, Jatin Dubori, and Leela Gogoi.

Apart from this, two others, including Prashantha Bhuyan and Hemen Gogoi, were sentenced to four years in prison.

It may be noted that on 15 August 2004, the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) allegedly detonated an explosion at 8:55 am during the Independence Day celebrations at the Dhemaji College playground.
In 2019, the Dhemaji District and Sessions Court found six people guilty and convicted them under relevant IPC sections, such as Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder) as well as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Out of these 6, 4 were sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000 each. On the other hand, two other accused were sent to jail for four years in addition to a fine of two thousand rupees.